Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. But every person reacts differently to various drugs and adverse effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication can improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% of children and adults that take it. They alter neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. Many experts suggest that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and they must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. They may also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and can often be managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, such as mania and depression.
adhd treatment without medication of stimulants are controlled substances, and require a prescription to be obtained. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could lead to addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks, doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the person. These are prescription medicines however they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last for only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help someone learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is a company that offers online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can be matched with an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can assist people suffering from ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to concentrate, but they do not address the underlying causes. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and therapy could be the best approach.